zac wrote:where in the canon or if not there then just where is the buddhist explanations of the universe found? the multi universe things?

What sort of explanation? You mean the brahmanical stuff the Buddha took and to which he gave a twist to make a Buddhist point?

(By the way, you look a little sickly. You might try a better diet and get some sun.)

not sure actually. i read a book by rupert gethin called "foundations of buddhism" and it goes in depth about the buddhist view of the universe. it goes in depth about the huge number of universes, how long each universe lasts and how they are destroyed among other things. i was trying to figure out where this stuff came from...

yeah when i was seventeen i was walking down the street with my head full of ego and alcohol and i saw a gross looking, pale, skin hanging off the bones type man wearing a yellow robe. he bit me as i walked by. i ran away. over the years i became all sickly looking like he did and i started thinking about karma and got an overwhelming hunger for dharma. alcohol started to sicken me and now i can't drink it at all. i feel great waves of peace. i walk in bookstores with both arms stiff in front of me "dhaaaaarrrrrmaaaaa...". i put my symptoms in web md. turns out i'm infected with the "karmazombie" virus. i'm a karma zombie.

The only sutta I can recall that might apply here is the Agganna Sutta, which has to do with the expansion and contraction of the universe. By "multi universe" are you referring to the Planes of Existence?

"Monks, there is a darkness of interstellar space, impenetrable gloom, such a murk of darkness as cannot enjoy the splendour of the moon and sun, though they be of such mighty magic power and majesty.'

In the rest of the Sutta, the Buddha talks about a greater and more fearsome darkness ~ Dukkha.

mettaChris

---The trouble is that you think you have time------Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe------It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---

Agent wrote:The only sutta I can recall that might apply here is the Agganna Sutta, which has to do with the expansion and contraction of the universe. By "multi universe" are you referring to the Planes of Existence?

thanx and no at some point he talks of "multiple world systems" which refers to parallel worlds implying a multi-verse. i'll look at the ones you posted, much appreciated

PeterB wrote:As far as I am aware he doesnt talk about the Middleearthloka and other realms so beloved of later developments.

hmm, i have a book that shows where a couple of quotes are about the universe and the source lists locations in the tripitaka but not all of them are listed so i was trying to find the rest and couldn't even find it online. what is middleearthloka?

"Monks, there is a darkness of interstellar space, impenetrable gloom, such a murk of darkness as cannot enjoy the splendour of the moon and sun, though they be of such mighty magic power and majesty.'

In the rest of the Sutta, the Buddha talks about a greater and more fearsome darkness ~ Dukkha.

If you have asked me of the origination of unease, then I shall explain it to you in accordance with my understanding: Whatever various forms of unease there are in the world, They originate founded in encumbering accumulation. (Pārāyanavagga)

Exalted in mind, just open and clearly aware, the recluse trained in the ways of the sages:One who is such, calmed and ever mindful, He has no sorrows! -- Udana IV, 7